An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is an extremely common condition in middle-aged American men. PubMed Health states that prostate enlargement occurs in almost all men, and that it may impair the flow of contents through your urethra and cause bladder problems. Certain herbs have historically been used to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate and reduce the likelihood of health complications. Talk with your health care provider about the safety and efficacy of herbs before using these powerful substances.
About Enlarged Prostate
There are several important risk factors associated with prostate gland enlargement, states MayoClinic.com, including aging, a family history of this problem and ethnicity -- prostate enlargement appears to be more common among white and black men. If you develop prostate enlargement, you may experience straining while urinating, impaired kidney function, urinary tract infections, blood in your urine, post-urination dribbling and other urinary tract symptoms. An enlarged prostate may also cause you difficulty in initiating urination.
Useful Herbs
Many useful herbs may be helpful in treating your enlarged prostate gland. Urinary tract tonics, notes Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," may be especially helpful in treating this condition and include parsley, juniper berries, slippery elm bark and uva ursi. African pygeum and saw palmetto are two of the most commonly used herbs for this condition. Chinese ginseng has also been used in improving prostate health. Some herbs used in treating an enlarged prostate may not have been thoroughly studied using scientific testing methods.
A Potent Botanical
Saw palmetto may be a potent botanical remedy in the treatment of an enlarged prostate and other health conditions. Naturopathic physician William A. Mitchell Jr., author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that many studies have shown saw palmetto to be effective in treating and preventing benign prostatic hypertrophy, or an enlarged prostate. This botanical has also historically been used in treating epididymitis, orchitis, orchalgia, undeveloped mammary glands and laryngitis.
Considerations
An enlarged prostate, as well as other prostate conditions, can significantly reduce your quality of life and should always be managed by a skilled health care practitioner. If you are diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, discuss available treatment options with your family physician or urologist. Herbal remedies are commonly used as an adjunct therapy in treating this condition, but you should fully understand the health risks associated with these powerful natural substances before ingesting them.
References
- PubMed Health: Enlarged Prostate
- MayoClinic.com: Prostate Gland Enlargement
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
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